Pill identification device and method

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a device and method of identifying pills comprising a main body; a prism portion provided in the main body, which includes an entrance surface on which a pill is positioned and light is incident, an exit surface through which the light is emitted, and a reflective surface that reflects the light entered through the entrance surface to the exit surface; and a photographing unit provided in the main body to obtain the front images of the pill, and the back and side images of the pill emitted through the exit surface, by photographing one time. The front image of a pill, the back of a pill emitted through the first exit surface, and the side of a pill emitted through the second exit surface can be obtained by photographing one time.

Description

PILL IDENTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device and method of identifying pills in which front, back, and side images of a pill can be obtained by photographing one time.

[0002] Prescriptions continue to increase due to the aging of the population. There is also a risk of accidental injection since there are many types of medicine that are difficult to distinguish by the naked eye.

[0003] The known ‘tablet sorting device’ is described in Korean Patent No. 10-2549019 (granted in June 23, 2023).

[0004] According to the above publication, as described in FIG. 6, a conventional tabletsorting device includes the upper surface photographing unit 300 that photographs the upper side of a pill positioned on the stage 100, the lower surface photographingunit 400 that photographs the bottom of a pill positioned on the stage, the control unit 500 that identifies the type of a pill by receiving the front and back images of a pill photographed at the upper surface photographing unit and the lower surface photographing unit.

[0005] However, the known tablet sorting device requires space for the upper surface photographing unit 300 that photographs the upper side of a pill and the lower surface photographing unit 400 that photographs the bottom of a pill respectively that it takes up a lot of space due to the increase in size of a device, making it hard to install in a limited space.

[0006] Thepresent disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems, and to provide a device and method of identifying pills that are capable of obtaining front, back, and side images of a pill by photographing one time, thereby significantly shortening the time to identify the pills and greatly improving work efficiency.

[0007] The device for identifying pills according to the present disclosure comprises a main body; a prism portion provided in the main body, which includes an entrance surface on which a pill is positioned and light is incident, an exit surface through which the light is emitted, and a reflective surface that reflects the light entered through the entrance surface to the exit surface; and a photographing unit provided in the main body to obtain the front images of the pill, and the back and side images of the pill emitted through the exit surface, by photographing one time.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, the prism portion includes a first prism comprising a firstentrance surface on which a pill is positioned and light is incident; a first exit surface disposed on the same plane as the first entrance surface, from which light is emitted; (a) of a first reflective surface that reflects the incident light transmitted through the first entrance surface; and (b) of a first reflective surface that reflects light reflected through (a) of the first reflective surface to the first exit surface: and a second prism comprisinga second entrance surface disposed perpendicular to the first entrance surface so that light is incident; a second exit surface disposed perpendicular to the second entrance surface so that light is emitted; and a second reflective surface that reflects the incident light transmitted through the second entrance surface to the second exit surface. Furthermore, the photographing unit can obtain images of the front of a pill, the back of a pill emitted through the first exit surface, and the side of a pill emitted through the second exit surface by photographing one time.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, the second prism is tiltable to be able to adjust the tilt angle with respect to the first prism so that the photographing unit can optimally obtain the side image of the pill emitted through the second exit surface when a photographing unit’s field of view is adjusted to photograph the pill.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a boundary plate is disposed on an upper portion between the first entrance surface and the first exit surface in the first prism.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, a cleaning means in the first entrance surface, the first exit surface, and the second exit surface can be provided to clean the first entrance surface, the first exit surface, and the second exit surface by moving in a straight line in a sliding manner.

[0012] A method of identifying pills according to the present disclosure comprises the following steps: step (a) where a pill is positioned; step (b) where the front, back and side images of the pill can be obtainedby photographing one time; step (c) of extracting a list of pill candidates from the database from the images obtained in step (b) and simultaneously extracting list of pill candidates based on AI; and step (d) of sorting the similarity by cross-validating the list of pill candidates extracted based on AI with respect to the list of pill candidates extracted from the database.

[0013] According to the present disclosure, after step (d), a method further comprises step (e) of displaying additional information such as dosed quantities, precautions of the pill with the highest similarity on the screen.

[0014] According to the present disclosure, after step (d), a method further comprises step (f) of outputting a barcode for the pill having the highest similarity in step (d), so that a user can check information related to the pill from a database by using the output barcode, and can update the latest data of the pill in the database.

[0015] A device and method of identifying pills according to the present disclosure have the following effects.

[0016] The front, back and side images of the pill can be acquired in one shot, which can significantly shorten the pill identification time and greatly improve work efficiency.

[0017] It is possible to accurately identify the pills even that are difficult to be visually recognized by the naked eye, thereby increasing the accuracy of pill identification and enabling smart pill identification.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a device for identifying pills according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the prism portion illustrated in FIG. 1.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a device for identifying a pill according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 4 illustrates a cleaning means in the device for identifying a pill according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for identifying a pill according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 6 illustrates a known pill identification device.

[0024] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. The terms or words used in the present specification and claims should not be construed as being limited to conventional or dictionary meanings, and the inventor shall be able to appropriately define his / her invention as terms for the best description of his / her invention. Based on the principle that it can be done, it should be interpreted as meaning and concept consistent with the technical idea of the present disclosure.

[0025] Accordingly, the embodiments described in the specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only the most preferred embodiment of the present disclosure. It should be understood that there may be equivalents and variations.

[0026] A pill identification device according to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated in FIGs. 1-4.

[0027] As described in FIG. 1, a pill identification device comprises a main body 1000, a prism portion 500, and a photographing unit 400.

[0028] The main body 1000 has an internal space in which a prism portion 500 and a photographing unit 400 are provided.

[0029] A prism portion 500 is preferably disposed in the lower side of the main body 1000, as shown in FIG. 2; thereby it is preferable to include a first prism and a second prism.

[0030] The first prism 100 includes a first entrance surface 110, a first exit surface 120, an (a) of a first reflective surface 130 and a (b) of a first reflective surface 140.

[0031] The first entrance surface 110 is where the pill is positioned and light is incident. The first exit surface 120 is arranged on the same surface as the first entrance surface 110 through which light exits. A (a) of the first reflective surface 130 is arrangedforming a predetermined angle with respect to the first exit surface 110 at the bottom of the first entrance surface 110, and reflects light incident through the first entrance surface 110. A (b) of the first reflective surface 140 is arrangedat a certain angle with respect to the first reflective surface 120 in the lower side of the first exit surface 120 to reflect light reflected through the (a) of the first reflective surface 130.

[0032] The first prism 100 according to the present disclosure has a triangular column shape, including three rectangular sides and two triangular sides. Among three rectangular sides, one of them becomes the first entrance surface 110 and the first exit surface 120; the other rectangular side becomes the (a) of the first reflective surface; and the remaining rectangular side becomes the (b) of the first reflective surface. Two triangular sides become two sides of the first prism 100. The first entrance surface 110 and the exit surface 120 are Symmetrical to each other based on the line L bisecting the first prism 100, and the (a) of the first reflective surface 130 and a (b) of the first reflective surface 140 are symmetrical to each other.

[0033] It is preferable thata boundary plate be arrangedon the upper side between the first entrance surface 110 and the first exit surface 120 arranged on one of the rectangular sides. In this way, a pill can be seated on the first entrance surface 110 without falling into the first exit surface 120 due to the boundary plate 150 when the pill 10 is positioned from the upper side.

[0034] The second prism 200 includes the second entrance surface 210, the second exit surface 220, and the second reflective surface 230.

[0035] The second entrance surface 210 is disposed perpendicular to the first entrance surface 110 on which light is incident. In this embodiment, the boundary plate 150 and the second entrance surface 210 are arranged parallel to each other.

[0036] The second exit surface 220 is arrangedperpendicular to the second entrance surface 210 on which light is incident.

[0037] The second reflective surface 230 reflects light incident through the second entrance surface 210 to the second exit surface 220.

[0038] The second prism 200 according to an embodiment has a triangular column, including three rectangular sides and two triangular sides. Among three rectangular sides, one of them becomes the second entrance surface 210; the other rectangular side becomes the second exit surface 220; and the remaining rectangular side becomes the second reflective surface 230. Two triangular sides become two sides of the second prism 200.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 1, a photographing unit 400 such as a camera is installed on an upper side of the main body 1000 where a pill 10 is photographed.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, a field of view of the photographing unit 400 is the angle at which the photographing unit 400 can capture images of a pill 10 reflected through the first exit surface 120 and the second exit surface 220 through the lens. Depending on the field of view of the photographing unit 400, the distance between the first prism 100 and the second prism 200 (d1, d2) can be determined.

[0041] The front image of the pill 10 positioned on the first entrance surface 110, the back image of the pill 10 emitted from the first exit surface 120, and the side image of the pill 10 emitted from the second exit surface 220 can be obtained at the photographing unit 400 in one shot.

[0042] In this case, it is preferable that a tilting angle for the first prism 100 can be adjusted by providing the second prism 200 in a tiltable manner so that the photographing unit 400 can optimally obtain the side image of the pill 10 emitted through the second exit surface 220 when the pill 10 is photographed by adjusting a field of view of the photographing unit 400. In this case, the second prism 200 can be tilted clockwise or counterclockwise with respect to the first prism 100, and the tilting angle of the second prism 200 can be set by calculating the field of view of the photographing unit 400.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 4, cleaning means 300 that clean the surfaces can be provided on the first entrance surface 110, the first exit surface 120, and the second exit surface 220.

[0044] The cleaning means 300 as shown in FIG. 4 move in a straight line in a sliding manner to clean the surfaces of the first entrance side 110, the first exit side 120, and second exit side 220. In cleaning means 300, scratched and other damage can be prevented by using soft materials such as silicone in portions 310 that contact the surfaces of the first entrance surface 110, the first exit surface 120, and the second exit surface 220.

[0045] A method for identifying a pill using a pill identification device configured as described above can be constructed as follows.

[0046] As described with reference to FIG. 5, a pill is positioned. (Step a) Specifically, the pill 10 is positioned in the standby state; an inlet is open and closed; and when the pill is positioned by checking whether the pill has been positioned, it proceeds to the next step b. When the pill is not positioned, going back to the standby state.

[0047] Next, using the pill identification device described above, the front, back, and side images of the pill are acquired in one shot. (Step b)

[0048] Next, a list of pill candidates is extracted from the database with respect to the long axis of the pill 10, and simultaneously extracting a list of pill candidates based on AI. (Step c)

[0049] Next, the similarity is sorted by cross-validating the list of pill candidates extracted based on AI and the list of pill candidates extracted from the database. (Step d)

[0050] Next, it determines whether there is a candidate list, and if there is a candidate list, additional information such as dosed quantities, precautions of the pill 10 with the highest similarity will be displayed on the screen in an intuitive video format.(Step e) If there is no candidate list, "unsearchable items" will be displayed on screen.

[0051] After step d, a feature that outputs the barcode of a pill 10 with the highest similarity in step d can be added. (step f) Users can check information on the pill 10 from the database using the barcode output, and a real-time update function can be added to the database so that it reflects the latest data of the pill.

[0052] A device and method for identifying a pill according to the present disclosure have the following effects.

[0053] Since it enables to obtain front, back, and side images of a pill in one shot, it significantly shortens the time to identify the pills and greatly improves work efficiency.

[0054] It is possible to accurately identify the pills even that are difficult to be visually recognized by the naked eye, thereby increasing the accuracy of pill identification and enabling smart pill identification.

[0055] As described above, while this disclosure has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

[0056] [DESCRIPTION OF THE REFERENCE NUMBERS IN THE DRAWINGS]

[0057] 100: first prism 110: first entrance surface

[0058] 120: first exit surface 130: (a) of a first reflective surface

[0059] 140: (b) of a first reflective surface 150: boundary plate

[0060] 200: second prism 210: second entrance surface

[0061] 220: second exit surface 230: second reflective surface

[0062] 300: cleaning means 400: photographing unit

[0063] 500: prism portion 1000: main body

Claims

1.A pill identification device comprising:a main body;a prism portion provided in the main body, which includes an entrance surface on which a pill is positioned and light is incident, an exit surface through which the light is emitted, and a reflective surface that reflects the light entered through the entrance surface to the exit surface;and a photographing unit provided in the main body to obtain the front images of the pill, and the back and side images of the pill emitted through the exit surface, by photographing one time.2.The pill identification device of claim 1, wherein the prism portion includes a first prism comprising a first entrance surface on which a pill is positioned and light is incident; a first exit surface arranged on the same plane as the first entrance surface, from which light is emitted; (a) of a first reflective surface that reflects the incident light transmitted through the first entrance surface; and (b) of a first reflective surface that reflects light reflected through (a) of the first reflective surface to the first exit surface: and a second prism comprising a second entrance surface disposed perpendicular to the first entrance surface so that light is incident; a second exit surface arranged perpendicular to the second entrance surface so that light is emitted; and a second reflective surface that reflects the incident light transmitted through the second entrance surface to the second exit surface.Furthermore, the photographing unit can obtain images of the front of a pill, the back of a pill emitted through the first exit surface, and the side of a pill emitted through the second exit surface by photographing one time.3.The pill identification device of claim 2 wherein the second prism is tiltableto be able to adjust the tilt angle with respect to the first prism so that the photographing unit can optimally obtain the side image of the pill emitted through the second exit surface when a photographing unit’s field of view is adjusted to photograph the pill.4.The pill identification device of claim 2, wherein a boundary plate is disposed on an upper portion between the first entrance surface and the first exit surface in the first prism.5.The pill identification device of claim 2, wherein the main body has a cleaning means provided on at least one of the following areas: the first entrance surface; the first exit surface; and the second exit surface.The cleaning means can clean at least one of the following areas: the first entrance surface; the first exit surface; and the second exit surface by moving in a straight line in a sliding manner.6.The pill identification method comprising step (a) where a pill is positioned; step (b) where the front, back and side images of the pill can be obtained by photographing one time; step (c) of extracting a list of pill candidates from the database from the images obtained in step (b) and simultaneously extracting list of pill candidates based on AI; and step (d) of sorting the similarity by cross-validating the list of pill candidates extracted based on AI with respect to the list of pill candidates extracted from the database.7.The pill identification method of claim 6, wherein after step (d), a method further comprises step (e) of displaying additional information such as dosed quantities, precautions of the pill with the highest similarity on the screen.8.The pill identification method of claim 6, wherein after step (d), a method further comprises step (f) of outputting a barcode for the pill having the highest similarity in step (d), so that a user can check information related to the pill from a database by using the output barcode, and can update the latest data of the pill in the database.

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